So was it the move from the wing to center that put Viktor Kozlov in
touch with his inner goal scorer? After scoring five goals in the Islanders'
first 24 games, Kozlov scored six goals in a 24-hour span to lead them
to road wins over Pittsburgh and the Rangers and into first place in the
division.

It was an amazing feat, but it's easier done than explained, especially
in a second language for the reticent Russian. "I don't know," Kozlov said
yesterday. "I just enjoy the moment, which I have right now. I will play
wherever coach will put me, you know. So to play center, so far, it has
worked, and I hope it will go the same way."

Kozlov's joyful smile after his third and fourth goals enabled the Isles
to pull away to a 7-4 win Sunday night at Madison Square Garden still was
there yesterday. He was named the NHL's first star of the week while totaling
seven goals and two assists in four games since moving to the middle after
captain and leading scorer Alexei Yashin suffered a sprained right knee.

Reflecting on the first four-goal game of his career, Kozlov said: "That
was a big game for us, and of course, it feels great to beat them at Madison
Square Garden. And we are back in first place again, so that feels great."

Considering the Islanders' 5-3 win at Pittsburgh began at 7:30 Saturday
night and the Rangers game ended at 7:30 Sunday night, what Kozlov and
the Islanders did in a 24-hour span that included a flight home was all
the more impressive. "We got very good momentum after the Pittsburgh game,
and it was like a very tough game for us, as well," Kozlov said. "We had
a good start against the Rangers probably because of that."

With Ottawa visiting Nassau Coliseum tonight, the focus ordinarily would
be on Yashin facing his former team. But now, the question is whether the
silver lining to Yashin's injury is that the Islanders have uncovered another
scoring center.

Kozlov last played center the final 11 games of the 2003-04 season after
he was traded from Florida to New Jersey. He returned to wing while playing
in Russia during the lockout and stayed there last season with the Devils.
Asked if he wants to remain at center when Yashin returns, Kozlov said
he'll do whatever coach Ted Nolan asks.

"I'm not too sure it's the move to center ice more so than the way he's
shooting the puck," Nolan said of Kozlov's scoring binge. "Before, he was
maybe a little too generous with his passing. Now, Viktor's in the top
slot. Don't think about passing; think about shooting. The last couple
years, he didn't shoot enough."

When Yashin first went down, Nolan paired Kozlov with the Isles' leading
goal scorer, Jason Blake, who assisted on a Kozlov goal in their first
game together. But Nolan moved Blake to a line with Mike Sillinger and
Arron Asham and put Andy Hilbert with Kozlov and Chris Simon for the past
two games.

"Viktor was maybe trying to play like Yashin a little bit by getting
Blake the puck," Nolan said. "Andy Hilbert's been great on that line. Now,
Viktor's in a position to get the puck and get in those holes and fire
it. When he has a chance to shoot in the high slot, it's pretty tough for
any goaltender to stop."

Notes & quotes: Yashin skated for the first time yesterday since
suffering his injury but gave no timetable for his return . . . Bridgeport
forward Jeremy Colliton will be called up today if an unnamed Islander
is not cleared to play, but he will not replace Eric Boguniecki.

Star of stars

Islanders center Viktor Kozlov was named the NHL's first star of the
week after scoring seven goals and two assists for nine points in four
games. The last six goals came in two consecutive road games, including
four against the Rangers on Sunday. According to the Elias Sports Bureau,
only five players in NHL history have accomplished such a feat. Here's
the list: